Beam blade windshield wiper assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a wiper blade system that includes a wiper blade assembly having a wiping element, at least one elongated beam and a carrier that is operatively engaged to the elongated beam. The wiper blade assembly further includes an airfoil and a coupler that is removably engaged to the carrier and adapted to releasably attach the wiper blade assembly to a wiper arm attachment member. The coupler is universal in that it is used for connecting the wiper blade assembly to various styles of wiper arms.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS(S)

This is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 12/779,290 entitled “Beam BladeWindshield Wiper Assembly,” and filed on May 13, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, generally, to windshield wiperassemblies. More specifically, the present invention relates to a beamblade windshield wiper assembly having a universal coupler subassemblyfor use in connecting a beam blade wiper to various styles of wiperarms.

2. Description of the Related Art

Windshield wipers known in the related art include two categoriescommonly referred to as, “tournament” wipers and “beam blade” stylewipers. In either category, the windshield wiper assembly is removablyconnected to the wiper arm of a vehicle. Specifically, a wiper coupleris employed to facilitate the connection between the windshield wiperassembly and the attachment member of the wiper arm.

At the manufacturing level, there is usually not much concern overcompatibility between the wiper assemblies and the wiper arm since thesecomponents are typically supplied to OEM vehicle manufacturers as a partof an overall wiper system. However, windshield wiper assemblies wearout and must be replaced. Typically, the wiper coupler for a beam bladewindshield wiper assembly is designed solely for use in connection witha single style of wiper arm attachment member. In the aftermarket,compatibility between the wiper arm and windshield wiper assembly is aproblem. End users are provided with few, if any, options forreplacement wiper assemblies and are often required to purchasereplacement wiper assemblies from dealerships for the OEM vehiclemanufacturer.

As a result of the limited aftermarket availability and limited optionsassociated with beam blade windshield wipers, there is a need in the artfor a beam blade windshield wiper assembly having a coupler subassemblythat operatively couples a beam blade windshield wiper to severaldifferent wiper arm attachment members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes many limitations and disadvantages inthe related art of beam blade windshield wiper systems incorporatingwiper couplers for use in connecting a beam blade windshield wiperassembly to a wiper arm. To this end, one embodiment of the presentinvention is directed toward a wiper blade system for use in connectionwith a wiper arm having an attachment member including a track definedby a base and rails depending therefrom as well as a bent tab extendingoutwardly from the base and guides that extend linearly downward fromthe rails. The wiper blade system includes a wiper blade assembly havinga wiping element that contacts the surface to be wiped, at least oneelongated beam having longitudinal ends that define a predeterminedlength, a carrier that is operatively engaged to the elongated beambetween the longitudinal ends, and an airfoil that is operativelydisposed adjacent to the carrier and adapted to operatively connect theelongated beam to the wiping element. A coupler is removably engaged tothe carrier and adapted to releasably attach the wiper blade assembly toa wiper arm attachment member. The coupler includes a pair of sidewallseach having a flange adapted to engage a portion of the guides of awiper arm attachment member. The coupler also includes an elevatedplatform and a deck, each disposed between the sidewalls. The deckcooperates with a portion of the sidewalls to define a rest adapted tooperatively receive the track of a wiper arm attachment member. Thecoupler further includes an engaging member that is adapted to receive aportion of the bent tab of a wiper arm attachment member to facilitatereleasable attachment between the wiper blade assembly and a wiper armattachment member.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a wiperblade system for use in connection with a wiper arm having an attachmentmember including a transversely extending pin and a bent tab. In thiscontext, the wiper blade system includes a coupler that is removablyengaged to the carrier and adapted to releasably attach the wiper bladeassembly to the wiper arm attachment member. The coupler includes a pairof sidewalls with at least one of the sidewalls including a notchadapted to operatively receive a transversely extending pin of a wiperarm attachment member and a platform disposed between the sidewallshaving a recessed section. The coupler also includes a deck and a restportion disposed between the recessed section and the deck. The restportion is adapted to operatively receive a portion of a wiper armattachment member. In addition, the coupler includes a tab dependingfrom the platform adjacent to the recessed section and a locking tangdepending from the platform adjacent to the deck. The tab and lockingtang are adapted to operatively engage the carrier to releasably connectthe wiper blade assembly to the coupler.

The present invention is also directed to another embodiment of a wiperblade system that includes a first coupler that is adapted to beremovably engaged to the carrier and releasably attach the wiper bladeassembly to a wiper arm attachment member having a track defined by abase and rails depending therefrom along with a bent tab extendingoutwardly from the base and guides that extent linearly downward fromthe rails. The first coupler includes a pair of sidewalls each having aflange adapted to engage a portion of the guides of the wiper armattachment member. The first coupler further includes an elevatedplatform and a deck each disposed between the sidewalls. The deckcooperates with a portion of the sidewalls to define a rest adapted tooperatively receive the track of the wiper arm attachment member. Thefirst coupler also includes an engaging member that is adapted toreceive a portion of the bent tab of a wiper arm attachment member tofacilitate releasable engagement between the wiper assembly and thewiper arm attachment member. In addition, this embodiment of the presentinvention also includes a second coupler that is adapted to be removablyattached to the carrier and provide releasable attachment to a wiper armattachment member having a transversely extending pin and a bent tab.The second coupler includes a pair of sidewalls with at least one of thesidewalls having a notch adapted to operatively receive a transverselyextending pin of a wiper arm attachment member. A platform is disposedbetween the sidewalls having a recessed section. A deck and a restportion are disposed between the recessed section and the deck. The restportion is adapted to operatively receive a portion of a wiper armattachment member. The second coupler also includes a tab depending fromthe platform adjacent to the recessed section and a locking tangdepending from the platform adjacent to the deck. The tab and thelocking tang are adapted to operatively engage the carrier to releasablyconnect the wiper blade assembly to the coupler.

Thus, one advantage of the present invention is that it provides a beamblade windshield wiper assembly that is adapted to releasably engageseveral different wiper arm attachment members, thereby reducing theneed for several different windshield wiper assemblies at the OEM level.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that it provides abeam blade windshield wiper assembly having an interchangeable couplerassembly that can engage several different wiper arm attachment members,thereby reducing the need for multiple aftermarket beam blade windshieldwiper replacement assemblies having the same superstructure but adifferent, single-application, coupler assembly to reduce the costsassociated with point-of-sale packaging and replacing a beam blade wiperblade assembly.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after readingthe subsequent description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the front of an automotivevehicle having a pair of windshield wiper assemblies in accordance withthe present invention that are pivotally mounted for reciprocal movementacross the windshield of the vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the windshield wiper assembly having oneembodiment of the coupler assembly operatively attached thereto inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the windshield wiper assembly illustratedin FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the carrier of the windshield wiper assembly inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the carrier of the windshield wiper assembly inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the carrier of the windshield wiperassembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the carrier of the windshieldwiper assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a right side perspective view of the embodiment of thecoupler assembly illustrated in FIG. 2 for the windshield wiper assemblyof the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a left side perspective view of the embodiment of the couplerassembly illustrated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a top view of the embodiment of coupler assembly illustratedin FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the embodiment of coupler assemblyillustrated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of couplerassembly illustrated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the couplerassembly illustrated in FIG. 8A operatively attached to a first type ofwiper arm attachment member.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the couplerassembly illustrated in FIG. 8A operatively attached to a second type ofwiper arm attachment member.

FIG. 13 is a left side perspective view of another embodiment thecoupler assembly of the windshield wiper assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a right side perspective view of the embodiment of thecoupler assembly illustrated in FIG. 13 in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the couplerassembly illustrated in FIG. 13 in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of the windshield wiperassembly having the embodiment of the coupler assembly illustrated inFIG. 13 operatively attached thereto in accordance with the presentinvention and adjacent to a wiper arm attachment member.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view of the windshield wiperassembly having the embodiment of the coupler assembly illustrated inFIG. 13 operatively attached thereto in accordance with the presentinvention and operatively attached to the wiper arm attachment memberillustrated in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the figures, where like numerals are used to designatelike structure, a portion of a vehicle is schematically illustrated at10 in FIG. 1. The vehicle includes a cowl 12, a roof 14, and a pair oflaterally spaced front or “A” pillars 16 extending between the roof 14and the cowl 12. The A-pillars 16, roof 14, and cowl 12 cooperate tosupport a curved or “swept back” glass windshield 20 locatedtherebetween.

A wiper system is generally indicated at 22 in FIG. 1 and is employed toclean the glass windshield 20. The wiper system 22 includes a wiper arm,generally indicated at 24 and a beam blade windshield wiper assembly ofthe present invention, generally indicated at 26, (hereinafter referredto as a “wiper assembly”). The wiper assembly 26 is releasably engagedto the wiper arm 24 and adapted to clean the surface to be wiped, namelya windshield 20. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat a wiper system 22 may include more than wiper arm 24 and wiperassembly 26. By way of example and as indicated in FIG. 1, a wipersystem 22 includes a pair of wiper arms 24 and wiper assemblies 26,which correspond to the driver and passenger side of the vehicle 10.Furthermore, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate,that wiper assemblies 26 may be employed in other areas of a vehicle 10,such as a rear window (not shown) or a head lamp (not shown) thatemploys a wiper system 20. Thus, it will be understood that the presentinvention is not limited for use solely in connection with wiper arms 24adjacent to a vehicle's windshield 20, but for use in all applicationswhere wiper assemblies 26 are employed.

The wiper arm 24 includes an elongate body 28 having a pivot end 30 thatis operatively engaged to a motor (not shown) that drives the wiper arm24 in an oscillating manner across the windshield 20. More specifically,the elongate body 28 is operatively attached to the pivot end 30 in ahinged manner to enable a person to elevate the elongate body 28 awayfrom the windshield 20. Articulation between the pivot end 30 andelongate body 28 in this manner is conventionally known to enablemaintenance or inspection of the wiper system 22 and/or windshield 18 aswell as for removal and installation of wiper assemblies 26. Thosehaving ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the wiper arm 24may further include a biasing member to impart a downward force throughthe wiper arm 24 and onto the wiper assembly 26 to facilitate contactbetween the wiper assembly 26 and the windshield 20 of the vehicle 10.By way of example, the biasing member may include a spring. It shouldfurther be appreciated that the elongate body 28 of the wiper arm 24 mayinclude a cavity adjacent to the pivot end 30 to operatively receive thebiasing member.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 11, 12, 16 and 17, the wiper arm 24 furtherincludes an attachment member, generally indicated at 34, that extendsfrom the elongate body 28. FIG. 11 shows a pinch tab-type attachmentmember 34A. FIG. 12 shows a push button-type attachment member 34B.FIGS. 16 and 17 show a bent tab-type attachment member 34C. Pinchtab-type, push button-type and bent tab-type attachment members 34A-34Chave been traditionally employed for connection to a beam bladewindshield wiper assembly having a fixed coupler assembly the restrictsuse of the wiper assembly to a single type of wiper arm attachmentmember. However, the present invention provides a beam blade windshieldwiper assembly having a removable/interchangeable coupler assembly toprovide a beam blade windshield wiper assembly for use in connectionwith several different wiper arm attachment members 34A-C.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the wiper assembly 26 includes a wiping element,generally indicated at 36, that is adapted to contact the surface of thevehicle 10 to be wiped, in this representative example, the windshield20. The wiping element 36 includes an upper section 38 and a lowersection 40 that are segmented by a longitudinally extending partition42. The partition 42 provides flexibility between the upper section 38and lower section 40 during operational movement of the wiper assembly24. The upper section 38 is adapted to facilitate attachment toadditional components of the wiper assembly 26, as described in greaterdetail below, while the lower section 40 is adapted to engage thesurface to be wiped.

The wiping element 36 includes a predetermined length andcross-sectional profile corresponding to a particular application and istypically manufactured through an extrusion process, which enables thelength and cross-sectional profile of the wiping element 36 to be easilyadjusted without a substantial increase to manufacturing expense.Furthermore, while the wiping element 36 of the present invention isconstructed from a flexible rubber. Those having ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that the wiping element 36 may be constructed fromany flexible material, such as silicone or other polymer, and via anymanufacturing process, such as injecting molding, without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

The wiper assembly 26 of the present invention further includes anelongated beam, generally indicated at 44, that operatively engages thewiping element 36. The elongated beam 44 is adapted to distributedownward pressure from the wiper arm 24 across the wiping element 36. Asa result, the elongated beam 44 includes longitudinal ends 46 and 48that define a predetermined length capable of facilitating distributionof the downward pressure from the wiper arm assembly 24. The elongatedbeam 44 further includes a top end 50 and a bottom end 52 disposedbetween the longitudinal ends 46 and 48. In the embodiment illustratedin the figures, the wiping element 36 is operatively engaged to thebottom end 52 of the elongated beam 44 by an adhesive/epoxy. However,those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that theelongated beam 44 may be operatively engaged to the wiping element 36 byother methods such as through a slot defined within the elongated beam44 that receives a portion of the wiping element 36. Furthermore, thosehaving ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the wiper assembly26 of the present invention may include more than one elongated beam 44that is operatively engaged to the wiping element 36.

The elongated beam 44 may be constructed from any resiliently flexiblematerial, such as spring steel or a polymer, that facilitates theapplication of force from the spring-loaded wiper arm 24 across the spanof the elongated beam 44 toward the first and second longitudinal ends46 and 48. To that end, the elongated beam 44 may be curvedlongitudinally with a predetermined radius of curvature that is the sameor greater than the plane of curvature of the windshield 20. Thispredetermined radius of curvature is sometimes referred to in therelated art as a “free form” radius of curvature (hereinafter“windshield curvature”). Accordingly, the curvature of the elongatedbeam 44 may be symmetrical or asymmetrical depending on the forcerequirements and the contour of the windshield 20. The flexible, freeform, pre-curved elongated beam 44 straightens out when the wiper arm 24applies a force thereto to flatten the elongated beam 44 and direct thewiping element 36 to contact the windshield 20. Thus, the elongated beam44 includes a free-form curvature that ensures force distribution onwindshields having various curvatures that effects proper wrapping aboutthe windshield 20.

The elongated beam 44 includes a substantially constant thickness andmay have a constant width throughout the length between the first andsecond longitudinal ends 46 and 48. The constant thickness is adapted toprovide high lateral and torsional stillness to avoid lateral andtorsional deflection, which causes the wiping element 36 to stick/slip(“chatter”) on the windshield 20 during operation. Thus, thecross-section of the elongated beam 44 is substantially uniform, whichmakes it easier to manufacture. More specifically, where the elongatedbeam 44 is constructed from metal, such as spring steel, the tools andmachinery used to manufacture the elongated beam 44 are less complicatedthan that required to manufacture a beam 44 having a varying thickness.Furthermore, where the elongated beam 44 is constructed from a polymer,such as a thermoplastic elastomer, the tools and extrusion processmachinery are also less complicated than those employed to manufacturean elongated beam having a varying thickness. However, those havingordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elongated beam 44illustrated herein may include a varying thickness and/or outer profile(width) without departing from the scope of the invention. By way ofexample, the width and/or thickness of the elongated beam 44 may taperlinearly from the beam center, sinusoidally, parabolically, orasymmetrically. Additionally, the elongated beam 44 illustratedthroughout the figures is a single, integral piece of material such thatit defines a solid cross-section. However, those having ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that the elongated beam 44 may be formed intoa single piece or multiple pieces by a plurality of laminates.

The wiper assembly 26 of the present invention further includes anairfoil, generally indicated at 54, to reduce the likelihood of windlift during operational movement across the surface to be wiped. Theairfoil 44 includes two segments 54A and 54B that include identicalstructure. Accordingly, the same reference numerals will be used todescribe the structure of the two segments 54A and 54B of the airfoil54. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatthe airfoil 54 may also be constructed as a single unit.

The airfoil 54 includes a base, generally indicated at 56. The base 56includes an attachment portion 58 that engages the elongated beam 44.More specifically, the attachment portion 58 of each of the segments 54Aand 54B engage a portion of the top end 50 and bottom end 52 between thelongitudinal ends 46 and 48, thereby joining the airfoil 54, wipingelement 36 and elongated beam 44 together. Those having ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that the airfoil 54, elongated beam 44 andwiping element 36 may be joined together through other means such asbonding the airfoil 54 to the top end 50 of the elongated beam 44 viaadhesive/epoxy or by employing additional structure such as a retaineror spline that couples the wiping element 36 to the elongated beam 44 orthe elongated beam 44 to the airfoil 54 without departing from the scopeof the invention.

The airfoil 54 further includes a spoiler 60 that is adapted to utilizeairflow to increase downward force on to the wiper assembly 26 duringoperational movement across the surface to be wiped. To this end, thespoiler 60 tapers inwardly from the base 56 toward a terminal point 62to define a profile that is slightly contoured. As shown in FIGS. 2 and3, the profile of the spoiler 60 is substantially symmetrical incross-section. However, those having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the spoiler 60 may include an asymmetricalcross-sectional profile without departing from the scope of theinvention. Additionally, those having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the airfoil 54 may include a solid-core spoiler 60 or ahollow-core spoiler 60 without departing from the scope of theinvention. The airfoils 54A and 54B of the present invention aremanufactured from a thermoplastic material and using a manufacturingprocess that may be the same as described above relative to the wipingelement 36. However, it should be appreciated that the airfoils 54 maybe manufactured using a different process and/or different material. Byway of example, the airfoils 54 may be manufactured via an injectionmolding process using a polymer composition having greater hydrophobicproperties than the materials used for manufacturing the wiping element36.

The wiper assembly 26 of the present invention further includes a pairof end caps, generally indicated at 64. The end caps 64 are adapted tooperatively engage the airfoil 54. The end caps 64 include a profilethat substantially mimics the contours of the airfoil 54 to maintain thewind lift characteristics of the wiper assembly 26 and to provide anincreased aesthetic value. The end caps 64 include a closed end 65 thatcovers the longitudinal ends 46 and 48 of the elongated beam 44. Theclosed end 65 prevents infiltration of water, ice, and debris betweenthe elongated beam 44 and the airfoil 54, which may prevent properoperation of the wiper assembly 26. The closed end 65 of the end caps 64may be adapted to extend beyond the longitudinal ends 46 and 48 of theelongated beam 44 to facilitate contact between the outer extremities ofthe wiping element 26 and the surface to be wiped. More specifically,the end caps 64 provide a mass increase adjacent to the longitudinalends 46 and 48 of the elongated beam 44 that reduce the likelihood oflocalized chatter along the extremities of the wiping element 26 causedby the combination of wind lift and a decrease in the force distributedto this area from wiper arm 24 via the elongated beam 44, as describedabove.

The wiper assembly 26 further includes a carrier, generally indicated at66, that is disposed along an intermediate position between the firstand second airfoils 54A and 54B. Contrary to conventional beamblade-style wiper assemblies, which include a small contact pointthrough which force from the wiper arm 24 is distributed, the carrier 66of the present invention broadens the initial point through which forceis applied from the wiper arm 24 to the elongated beam 44. In thismanner, the downward force from the wiper arm 24 is distributed withmore efficiency across the elongated beam 44, thereby reducing thelikelihood of wind lift and improving wiping action.

Referring to FIGS. 2-7, the carrier 66 includes an interior surface 68that is disposed in proximate relation to the elongated beam 44. Theinterior surface 68 includes a plurality of transversely extending tangs70 that are adapted to operatively engage the bottom end 52 of theelongated beam 44. The tangs 70 cooperate with the remaining structureof the interior surface 68 to define a track, generally indicated at 72,that operatively receives an intermediate portion of the elongated beam44. As shown in FIG. 7, the interior surface 68 includes fourtransversely extending tangs 70 operatively disposed adjacent to theairfoil segments 54A and 54B to accommodate the resiliency of theelongated beam 44. In this manner, a portion of the elongated beam 44 isretained within the track 72, but remains able to flex in response tothe curvature of the surface to be wiped.

It should be appreciated that the airfoil segments 54A and 54B restrictthe axial movement of the carrier 66 relative to the elongated beam 44.However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thetangs 70 may include additional structure to prevent axial movementbetween the carrier 66 and the elongated beam 44. By way of example, oneor more of the tangs 70 may further include a post and the elongatedbeam 44 may include a corresponding detent that is adapted to receivethe post to prevent such axial movement of the carrier 66 relative tothe elongated beam 44. Those having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the elongated beam 44 may be operatively attached to thecarrier 66 by several methods other than as described above. By way ofexample, the carrier 66 may be fixed by adhesive, riveted or welded tothe elongated beam 44.

The carrier 66 further includes a low-profile end, generally indicatedat 74, that is disposed adjacent to one of the airfoil segments 54A anda high-profile end, generally indicated at 76, that is disposed adjacentto the other airfoil segment 54B. The high-profile end 76 and thelow-profile end 74 each include a contoured exterior that substantiallycorresponds to the contoured profile of the airfoil segments 54A and54B. The high-profile end 76 includes an arcuate top surface 78 thattapers downwardly toward one of the airfoil segments 54B. The arcuatetop surface 78 includes a depression 80 therein that will be describedin greater detail below. The low-profile end 74 includes a substantiallyplanar top surface 82 and an angled region 84 that tapers toward one ofthe airfoil segments 54A. The planar top surface 82 of the low-profileend 74 further includes an alignment member 86 defined thereon that willbe described in greater detail below.

The carrier 66 further includes a saddle, generally indicated at 88. Thesaddle 88 is disposed between the high and low-profile ends 76 and 74,respectively. The saddle 88 is adapted to releasably engage a couplerassembly, that will be described in greater detail below. The saddle 88includes a substrate 90 that extends between the high-profile end 76 andthe low-profile end 74 and a back jockey 92 that extends vertically fromthe substrate 90 and adjacent to the low-profile end 74. The back jockey92 includes an access 94 that enables a portion of a coupler assembly tobe located adjacent to the track 72 of the carrier 66 within thelow-profile end 74, as will be described in greater detail below. Thesaddle 88 further includes a front jockey 96 that extends verticallyfrom the substrate 90, adjacent to the high-profile end 76. The frontjockey 96 includes a gullet 98 that enables a portion of a couplerassembly to be located adjacent to the track 72 of the carrier 66 withinthe high-profile end 76, as will be described in greater detail below.

The saddle 88 further includes a seat 100 that is disposed between thefront jockey 96 and the back jockey 92 and a skirt 102 that depends fromthe seat 100. The skirt 102 is adapted to provide an interference fitbetween the seat 100 and the coupler assembly, as will be described ingreater detail below. The saddle 88 further includes a pair of blindbores 104 that are aligned with respect to each other on opposite sidesof the skirt 102. The blind bores 104 are located in proximate relationto the front jockey 96. The saddle 88 further includes a recessed façade106 that is located between the blind bores 104 and the seat 100. Therecessed façade 106 is adapted to facilitate positive alignment of aportion of the coupler assembly to be received within the blind bores104. A port 108 extends through the skirt 102 in proximate relation tothe back jockey 92. The port 108 is adapted to receive a portion of awiper arm attachment member that typically exclusively adapted for usein connection with a beam blade windshield wiper assembly. The seat 100includes a cantle 110 that extends downwardly toward the back jockey 92.The cantle 110 includes a cut-out section 112 that is adapted tofacilitate operative attachment to a coupler assembly and/or facilitatereleasable engagement between a coupler assembly and a wiper armattachment member. Additionally, the cantle 110 cooperates with the backjockey 92 to provide a pivot area wherein a coupler assembly is able topivot without interference from the saddle 88. The saddle 88 furtherincludes a pair of fenders 114 that are operatively disposed alongopposite sides of the seat 100, adjacent to the front jockey 96. Morespecifically, the fenders 114 extend vertically from the substrate 90along an arcuate path toward the high-profile end 76 and cooperate withthe cantle 96 and back jockey 92 to enable a coupler assembly to pivotwithout interference.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 8A-12, the wiper assembly 26 of the presentinvention further includes a coupler assembly, generally indicated at120. The coupler assembly 120 is adapted to facilitate removableattachment between the wiper assembly 20 and the attachment member 34.As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the attachment members 34A and 34B includea base 21 and bent tab 23 extending linearly outward from the base 21.The attachment members 34A and 34B have a pair of rails 25 dependingfrom the base 21 aligned with respect to each other. The base 21 andrails 25 cooperate to define a track, generally indicated at 27, thatoperatively receives a portion of the coupler assembly 20, as will bedescribed in greater detail below. Each of the rails 25 includes a guide29 that extends linearly downward relative to the rails 25. Each of theguides includes a leading edge 31 and a trailing edge 33, the functionof each will be described in greater detail below. The trailing edge 33is angled relative to the base 21, such that the leading edge 31 and thetrailing edge 33 form an acute angle. However, those having ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that trailing edge 33 may also extendsubstantially perpendicular relative to the base without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

According to one embodiment, the coupler assembly 120 includes a pair ofsidewalls, generally indicated at 122. Each of the sidewalls 122 definesa surface 122A disposed generally opposed relative to the other. Theopposed surfaces 122A include a recessed section 124 adapted tooperatively engage the rails of the attachment member 34. The recessedsection 124 is partially defined within the opposed surfaces 122A by alip 126 that provides a positive stop with respect to the rails 25 ofthe attachment member 34 when the wiper assembly 26 is attached to thewiper arm 24.

Each recessed section 124 is further defined by a flange 128 thatextends outward beyond the lip to provide releasable engagement with theattachment member 34. More specifically, each flange 128 includes aterminal edge 130 and a barb 132 disposed adjacent to the terminal edge130. The barb 132 is adapted to engage the trailing edge 33 of theguides 29 and thereby facilitates releasable engagement between theflange 128 and the guides 29 of the attachment member 34. The recessedsection 124 further includes at least one raised façade 134 thatprovides an interference fit between the coupler assembly 120 and therails 25 of the attachment member 34. Those having ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that the raised façade also provides additionalsupport to the sidewalls 122 and that the recessed section 124 mayinclude more then one raised façade 134.

Referring now to FIGS. 9B and 10, each of the sidewalls 122 furtherincludes an inward surface 122B that face each other. The inwardsurfaces 122B are adapted to operatively engage a portion of the carrier66. The inward surfaces 122B include posts 138 that extend transverselyfrom their respective inward surface 122B and toward each other. Theposts 138 operatively engage the aligned bores 104 of the saddle 100 andprovide a bearing surface about which the coupler assembly 120 may pivotrelative to the carrier 66. Those having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the inward surfaces 122B may further include additionalstructure. By way of example the inward surfaces 122B may include one ormore support ribs to provide interference fit between the sidewalls 122and the carrier 66 as well as increase the structural integrity of thesidewalls 122.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-9A, the coupler assembly 120 further includesa deck, generally indicated at 140, disposed between the sidewalls 122.The deck 140 cooperates with the recessed sections 124 of the sidewalls122 to define a rest, generally indicated at 142, that is adapted tooperatively receive the track 27 of the attachment member 34. The deck140 includes a cantilevered beam 144 that is disposed between theflanges 128 so as to define a distal end 146 of the deck 140. Thecantilevered beam 144 includes a raised portion 150 that is adapted toprovide an interference fit against the track 27 of the attachmentmember 34, such that the cantilevered beam 144 is entirely disposedwithin the track 27 when the coupler assembly 120 is operativelyattached to the wiper arm 24.

The deck 140 further includes a bridge 152 disposed between thesidewalls 122. The bridge 152 provides a stop to prevent undesireddisconnect between the wiper arm 24 and the coupler assembly 120. Morespecifically, should the barbed flanges 128 unintentionally disengagefrom the guides 29, the bridge 152 will stop the linear movement of thebent tab 23 relative to the coupler assembly 120 so as to prevent thewiper arm 24 from separating from the wiper assembly 26. Those havingordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the bridge 152 furtherprovides structural support between the sidewalls 122.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 8A-9B, the coupler assembly 120includes a nose 156 and an elevated platform 158 that are disposedbetween the sidewalls 122. The elevated platform 158 cooperates with thesidewalls 122 and the bridge 152 to define an aperture 160 therebetween.Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elevatedplatform 158 additionally provides structural support between thesidewalls 122. The coupler assembly 122 further includes an engagingmember, generally indicated at 162, that is disposed adjacent to thenose 156. More specifically, the engaging member 162 includes acantilevered body 164 that depends from the nose 156 and has a bulboushead 166 disposed at the terminal end of the cantilevered body 164. Thebulbous head 166 includes a ridge 168 depending therefrom. The ridge 168is adapted to receive a portion of the bent tab 23 to prevent undesiredrelease of the coupler assembly 120 from the attachment member 34. Morespecifically, the ridge 168 provides an interference fit between aportion of the bent tab 23 and the engaging member 162. Additionally,those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a wiper armattachment member 34 may include additional structure, such as a lip orthe like within the bent tab 23.

Another wiper arm attachment member 34B is shown in FIG. 12 and includesstructure similar to the structure of the attachment member 34A shown inFIG. 11. Thus, like numerals as used in FIG. 11 are also used in FIG. 12to designate like structure. However, unlike the attachment member 34Ashown in FIG. 11, the attachment member 34B shown in FIG. 12 furtherincludes a passage, generally indicated at 37, that is defined withinthe base 21 by a peripheral edge 39. The attachment member 34B furtherincludes a contoured protrusion (not shown) that depends from the base21, within the track 27, and toward the engaging member 162 such thatthe contoured protrusion and the bent tab 23 extend in substantially thesame direction. Accordingly, when the coupler assembly 120 isoperatively engaged to the attachment member 34B, the contouredprotrusion is received by the aperture 160, under the platform 158, andthe raised portion 150 of the cantilevered beam 144 is received withinthe passage 37.

The embodiment of the wiper assembly of the present inventionillustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 8A-12 is properly assembled when the couplerassembly 120 is seated on the saddle 88 of the carrier 66 and thealigned posts 138 operatively engage the blind bores 104. Thisembodiment of the coupler assembly 120 of the wiper assembly 26 isproperly attached to either of the wiper arm attachment members 34A or34B by inserting the bent tab 23 under the ridge 168, and rotating thewiper assembly 26 such that the barbs 132 of the flanges 128 flexbetween the guides 29 and then expand outward to be seated adjacent thetrailing edges 33. Regardless of the style of attachment member 34A or34B shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, proper attachment of the wiper assembly 26is further achieved when the track 27 of either attachment member 34A or34B is seated on the rest 142. On the other hand, replacement of thewiper assembly 26 of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3,8A-12 is accomplished by applying force to the barbs 132 in an inwarddirection toward each other, thereby disengaging the barbs 132 fromcontact with the trailing edges 33 and rotating the wiper assembly 26away from the wiper arm 24 such that the bent tab 23 disengages fromcontact with the ridge 168.

Another embodiment of the wiper coupler assembly according to thepresent invention is generally indicated at 320 in FIGS. 13-17 wherelike numerals, increased by 200 with respect to the embodiment of theinvention illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 8A-12, are used to designate likestructure. More specifically, the coupler assembly 320 is adapted tooperatively engage the carrier 66 in a manner that is similar to thecoupler 120 illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 8A-12 but includes differentstructure that is adapted to releasably connect to a wiper armattachment member 34C having different structure than the wiper armattachment members 34A and 34B illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. To thisend, the wiper arm attachment member 34C shown in FIGS. 13-17 includes apin 71 that extends transversely from the body 28 and a bent tab 73 thatalso extends transversely from the body 28 adjacent the pin 71. The pin71 and bent tab 73 cooperate to attach the wiper arm 24 to a wiperassembly 26, as will be described in greater detail below.

The coupler assembly 32D illustrated in FIGS. 13-17 includes a pair ofsidewalls, generally indicated at 322. One of the sidewalls 322 includesa notch 400 that is adapted to operatively receive a portion of thetransversely extending pin 71 of the wiper arm attachment member 34C.More specifically, the notch 400 facilitates the ability of thetransversely extending pin 71 to operatively engage the port 108 withinthe saddle 88 of the carrier 66. Each of the sidewalls 322 includes atleast one raised surface 402 to provide additional support along theareas which may receive the highest amount of stress during operation ofthe wiper system 22. However, those having ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the sidewalls 322 may include more than one raisedsurface 402 to accomplish a similar end. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14,the sidewalls include at least one contoured section 404 thatcorresponds to the contour of the carrier 66 to provide improvedaesthetics and wind lift resistance.

The coupler 320 further includes a platform, generally indicated at 358.The platform 358 is disposed between the sidewalls 322. With specificreference to FIG. 15, the platform and sidewalls cooperate to define ahousing, generally indicated at 406, that operatively receives thesaddle 88 of the carrier 66. The housing 406 includes at least onestand-off 408 that is adapted to provide an interference-fit relative tothe saddle 88. As shown in FIG. 15, the housing 406 includes fourstand-offs 408. However, those having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the housing 406 may include any number of stand-offs 408to accomplish the intended objective of providing an interference-fitbetween the coupler 320 and the saddle 88.

The coupler 322 further includes a tab 410 that depends from theplatform 358 and extends outwardly therefrom. The tab 410 is adapted tobe received through the access to engage a portion of the track 72adjacent to the low-profile 74 end of the carrier 66. The tab 410includes a bulbous end 412 that is adapted to provide a friction-fitrelative to the engagement with the track 72. The coupler 320 furtherincludes a locking tang 414 that depends from the platform 358 along theopposite side of the platform 358 relative to the tab 410. The lockingtang 414 engages the gullet 98 adjacent to the high profile end of thecarrier 76. To this end, the locking tang 414 includes a lip 416 thatengages the track 72 below the arcuate top surface 78 of the carrier 66.The lip 416 of the locking tang 414 and the tab 410 cooperate to lockthe coupler 320 into attachment with the carrier 66. Furthermore, thesecomponents cooperate to prevent axial movement between the coupler 320and carrier 66. It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skillin the art that the locking tang 414 may be actuated by an end user torelease the connection between the coupler 320 and the carrier 66.

The platform 358 further includes a recessed section 418 that isoperatively disposed adjacent to the tab 410. The recessed section 418includes assembly indicia 420 that cooperates with the alignment member86 of the carrier 66 to facilitate proper assembly of the coupler 320 tothe carrier 66. More specifically, to assembly the coupler 320 to thecarrier 66, the end user will orient the assembly indicia 420 and thealignment member 86 in reasonable proximity to each other andsubsequently insert the tab 410 into the access 94 of the carrier 66.Thereafter, the end user will rotate the coupler 320 and/or carrier 66in a manner such that the bulbous end 412 of the tab 410 will engage thetrack 72. Finally, the end user will continue with the rotating movementuntil the lip 416 of the locking tang 414 “clicks” into engagement withthe track 72 below the arcuate top surface 78.

The platform 358 further includes a rest 422 that is adapted to receivea portion of the bent tab 73 of the wiper arm attachment member 34C.Specifically, when the wiper blade assembly 26 is connected to the wiperarm 24, the bent tab 73 straddles the coupler 320 across the rest 422and along the sidewall 322, while the body 28 of the wiper arm 24 isjuxtaposed adjacent the other sidewall 322. The platform 358 furtherincludes at least one ridge 424 that defines one edge 426 of the rest422. The ridge 424 serves to restrict lateral movement of the portion ofthe wiper arm attachment member 34C received by the rest 422.

The platform 358 further includes a deck 428 that extends parallel tothe rest 422 to limit the range of movement of the wiper arm attachmentmember 34C during connection to the wiper blade assembly 26. To installthe wiper blade assembly 26 to the wiper arm 24, the wiper bladeassembly 26 is initially positioned in a substantially perpendicularmanner relative to the wiper arm attachment member 34C (FIG. 16). Thedeck 428 provides the maximum position in which the wiper assembly 26may be placed relative to the bent tab 73 in order to properly connectthe wiper assembly 26 to the wiper arm attachment member 34C. With thewiper arm 24 in the correct position relative to the wiper bladeassembly 26, as governed by the deck 428, the transversely extending pin71 may be inserted through the notch 400 and into the port 108. Thewiper blade assembly 26 is then rotated about the transversely extendingpin 71 until the bent tab 73 is received by the rest 422.

When correctly installed, the wiper blade assembly 26 is orientedparallel to the wiper arm 24, with a portion of the bent tab 73straddled over the rest 422 and one sidewall 322 and a portion of thewiper arm body 28 aligned substantially parallel and adjacent to theopposite sidewall 322 (FIG. 17). The raised surfaces 402 of thesidewalls 322 may also serve to provide an additional amount of frictionbetween the coupler 320 and the wiper arm attachment member 34C tomaintain the connection between same in the installed position even whenthe wiper element 36 is not in contact with the windshield 20. Further,during replacement of the wiper blade assembly 26, the deck 428 may alsoserve as a stop, indicating the proper amount of rotational travel ofthe wiper blade assembly 26 relative to the wiper arm attachment member34C to provide sufficient clearance for removing the wiper bladeassembly 26 from the wiper arm attachment member 34C.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to beunderstood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be inthe nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Manymodifications and variations of the invention are possible in light ofthe above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims,the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wiper blade system for use in connection with awiper arm having an attachment member including a transversely extendingpin and a bent tab, said wiper blade assembly replacement systemcomprising: a wiper blade assembly including a wiping element thatcontacts the surface to be wiped, at least one elongated beam havinglongitudinal ends that define a predetermined length, a carrier that isoperatively engaged to said elongated beam between said longitudinalends, and an airfoil that is operatively disposed adjacent to saidcarrier and adapted to operatively connect said elongated beam and saidwiping element; a coupler that is removably engaged to said carrier andadapted to releasably attach said wiper blade assembly to a wiper armattachment member, said coupler including a pair of sidewalls with atleast one of said sidewalk including a notch adapted to operativelyreceive a transversely extending pin of a wiper arm attachment memberand a platform disposed between said sidewalls having a recessedsection, a deck and a rest portion disposed between said recessedsection and said deck, said rest portion adapted to operatively receivea portion of a wiper arm attachment member; and said coupler furtherincluding a tab depending from said platform adjacent to said recessedsection and a locking tang depending from said platform adjacent to saiddeck, said tab and said locking tang adapted to operatively engage saidcarrier to releasably connect said wiper blade assembly to said coupler.2. The wiper blade system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said platformfurther includes at least one ridge disposed between said rest and saiddeck, said ridge adapted to restrict lateral movement of a portion of awiper arm attachment member operatively received by said rest.
 3. Thewiper blade system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sidewalls andsaid platform cooperate to define a housing between said locking tangand said tab, said housing adapted to receive a portion of a wiperassembly for operative attachment thereto.
 4. The wiper blade system asset forth in claim 1 wherein said housing further includes at least onestand-off to provide an interference-fit when said coupler isoperatively attached to a wiper assembly.
 5. The wiper blade system asset forth in claim 1 wherein said sidewalls further include at least oneraised surface adapted to provide structural support to said sidewalls.